Garment with integrated hidden backpack support

ABSTRACT

A garment is disclosed that provides an integrated backpack support straps that allows user to easily attach a backpack, keep the backpack in place, and easily remove the backpack and garment simultaneously. The garment can include one or more integrated backpack support straps permanently affixed to the front of the garment. The integrated backpack support straps can be attached to the garment such that they are not visible when viewing the front of the garment. Each backpack support strap can have connector ends that attach to a backpack, either selectively or permanently. The garment may be a shirt, a sweater, a sweatshirt, a coat, a jacket or other suitable garment.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/176,020 filed May 6, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The invention generally relates to clothing, and more specifically to garments with integrated accessories.

BACKGROUND

Backpacks are very commonly used for carrying items while walking, hiking, bicycling, snowmobiling, and many other activities. A backpack allows a user to carry items such as books, food, extra clothing, and such like while leaving the hands of the user free, and while maintaining the weight of the backpack contents in a location on the user's back that is directly above the pelvis and therefore well supported by the body of the user.

Backpacks that are commonly used in everyday applications, such as students walking to school, bicycle riders, day-hikers, and others typically include straps that extend over the shoulders and around the sides of a user, holding the backpack in place while in use. Since backpacks are typically used outdoors, it is common to wear a garment such as a sweater or a jacket under the backpack. Frequently, the garment includes an attractive front appearance that a user would wish to display. However, the backpack support straps obscure this front appearance and tend to reduce the attractive appearance of the garment.

Also, backpack support straps can tend to move and slip off of the shoulders of a user while being worn, especially when worn with coats, jackets, sweatshirts, etc. since the user is typically walking, riding, or otherwise moving while wearing the backpack. Some approaches have been proposed to make the backpack straps attachable to a sweater or other garment, so as to hold the straps in place and prevent them from falling off of the shoulders of a user. However, this approach does not prevent the straps from interfering with the appearance of the garment and can be time consuming and awkward to attach and remove.

SUMMARY

A garment is disclosed that provides an integrated backpack support straps that allows user to easily attach a backpack, keep the backpack in place, and easily remove the backpack and garment simultaneously. Embodiments of a garment can include a front and a back with two arm openings, a neck opening and a torso opening. The garment can include one or more integrated backpack support strap permanently affixed to the front of the garment.

Each backpack support strap can have a first end and a second end, each end having a connector end. The first connector end can be located between the neck opening and one of the two arm openings, and the second connector end can be located between the torso opening and one of the two arm openings, the first connector end and second connector end being placed so as to be accessible to connect to a backpack. In some embodiments, the first end connector and the second end connector can be located such that the backpack support strap extends across the front of the garment from one shoulder to beneath the opposite arm. In some embodiments, the first and second connector ends can be attached to an outer surface of the back of the garment.

Similarly, the one or more backpack support straps may be integrally affixed to the inside surface, the outside surface, or between layers of the front of the garment. In embodiments where the one or more backpack support straps and under the outer layer of the front of the garment, the first and second connector ends penetrate the outer layer of back of the garment. Some such embodiments can include flaps of fabric that can substantially cover each of the first and second connector ends and hide them from view when the first and second connector ends are not attached to the backpack. The flaps can be configured as closable pockets.

The garment with integrated backpack support straps can include a backpack. In some embodiments, the backpack may be permanently fixed to the first and second connector ends, or the first and second connector ends may be selectively attachable to the backpack. The garment can be one of a shirt, a sweater, a sweatshirt, a coat, a jacket, or any other garment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description can be better understood in light of Figures, in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates a rear perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a garment according to the present invention with a backpack attached;

FIG. 1B illustrates a front perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C illustrates a side perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A illustrates a front perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A, including an enlarged view of a buckle joining a backpack support strap to the backpack;

FIG. 2B illustrates a rear perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A, including an enlarged view of a buckle joining a backpack support strap to the backpack;

FIG. 3A illustrates a front perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3B illustrates a side perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3C illustrates a front perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4A illustrates a rear perspective view of an exemplary embodiment or a garment according to the present invention; and

FIG. 4B illustrates a front perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4A.

Together with the following description, the Figures demonstrate and explain the principles of inventive garments with integrated backpack support straps and methods for using and making the devices. In the Figures, the thickness and configuration of components may be exaggerated for clarity. The same reference numerals in different Figures represent the same component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description supplies specific details in order to provide a thorough understanding. Nevertheless, the skilled artisan would understand that embodiments of garments with integrated backpack support straps and associated methods of using the devices can be implemented and used without employing these specific details. Indeed, exemplary embodiments and associated methods can be placed into practice by modifying the illustrated units and associated methods and can be used in conjunction with any other devices and techniques conventionally used in the industry. For example, while the description below focuses on a jacket with two integrated backpack support straps, the apparatus and associated methods could be equally applied in any garment, such as a coat, parka, sweater, sweatshirt, shirt, etc.

With reference to FIG. 1A, a garment with integrated backpack support straps 100 attachable to a backpack 102, is illustrated. The garment with integrated backpack support straps 100 can include a garment 104 and integrated backpack support straps 106. The backpack support straps 106 can be any suitable material for supporting the backpack 102, such as webbing, cord, quilted fabric, etc. The backpack support straps can also be any desired width for comfort and support of the backpack 102. The backpack support straps 106 can have connector ends 108 attachable to the backpack 102 by penetrating through each shoulder 110 and sides 112 of the garment 104 so as to be accessible to attach to the backpack 102 when the backpack 102 is placed against a back of the garment 114. In some embodiments, the connector ends 108 can be attached to an outer surface 116 of the back of the garment 114. Similarly, in some embodiments the backpack support straps 106 may be attached to the outer surface of the garment 104. In such embodiments, the backpack support straps 106 can be part of the visual design of the garment 104. The garment with integrated backpack straps 100 can also include the backpack 102 permanently attached to the connector ends 108.

FIGS. 1B and 1C illustrate a front perspective view and a side perspective view, respectively, of a user 118 wearing the garment with integrated backpack straps 100. The garment 104 can be suitable for wearing on an upper torso of body 120 of the user 118. The garment 104 can be one of a shirt, a sweater, a sweatshirt, a coat, a jacket or any other suitable garment that might be worn with a backpack. The garment with integrated backpack straps 100 can include a hood 122 attached to an upper portion of the garment 104 and suitable for wearing over a head of the user 118.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a front perspective view and a rear perspective view, respectively, of a garment with integrated backpack support straps 100. The backpack support straps 106 can be substantially hidden from view when the garment 104 is viewed from the front while being accessible to the backpack 102 from behind the garment 104. The connector ends 108 can be attachable to and detachable from the backpack 102. The backpack 102 can be attachable to a connector end 108 of the backpack support strap 106 by using a buckle 202. The buckle 202 can be any buckle used to connect straps.

The detachable backpack support straps 106 can include flaps of fabric 204 that substantially cover the connector ends 108 and hide them from view when the connector ends 108 are not attached to the backpack 102. In some embodiments, the flaps of fabric 204 can be closable pockets (not shown) so as to completely hide the backpack support straps 106 from view when the backpack 102 is not in use. The closable pockets may have hook and loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, zippers, or any decorative garment closure device to hold the flaps of fabric 204 closed when not in use.

FIG. 3A is a front perspective view of the garment with integrated backpack straps 100 showing the backpack support straps 106 attached to an inner surface 302 of a front panel 304 of the garment 104 and penetrating the garment 104 at the shoulders 110 and sides 112. FIGS. 3B and 3C illustrate a side perspective view and a front perspective view, respectively, of the user 118 wearing the garment with integrated backpack straps 100 with backpack support straps 106 made visible. The backpack support straps 106 are unlikely to fall off of shoulders of the user because the backpack support straps 106 are integral with the garment 104. The backpack support straps 106 can be hidden from view in the front of the garment 104 to avoid detracting from the front appearance of the garment 104. In some embodiments, the backpack support straps 106 and the backpack 102 can be integral with the garment 104, making putting on and removing the garment 104 and the backpack 102 simplified compared to using conventional separate garments and backpacks.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a rear perspective view and a front perspective view respectively of an embodiment of a garment with an integrated backpack strap 400 attachable to a backpack 402. The garment with an integrated backpack strap 400 can generally include the features of the garment with integrated backpack support straps 100 described above. The garment with an integrated backpack strap 400 can include a garment 404 and a backpack support strap 406 attached to the garment 404. The backpack support strap 406 can have two connector ends 408 attachable to the backpack 402 by penetrating the garment 404 near a shoulder 410 and a side 412 so as to be accessible to the backpack 402 when the backpack 402 is placed against a back of the garment 414. The garment with integrated backpack straps 400 with only one backpack support strap 406 can penetrate the shoulder 410 and the side 412 of the garment 404 that are located on opposite sides of the garment 404. The backpack support strap 406 can be attached to the garment 404 across the inside front of the garment 404 running between the connector ends 408.

The backpack support straps can be attached to the outside, inside, or between layers of the garment, as desired. The backpack support straps can be sewn such that the stitching is hidden or visible on the exterior of the garment. Similarly, the stitching may be visible as part of the design of the garment. In some embodiments, the backpack support straps can be attached to the garment with stitching, adhesive, heat bonding, or any other method of permanently attaching fabrics together.

In addition to any previously indicated modification, numerous other variations and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this description, and appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the information has been described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred aspects, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, form, function, manner of operation and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein. Also, as used herein, examples are meant to be illustrative only and should not be construed to be limiting in any manner. 

1. A garment attachable to a backpack, the garment comprising: a back; a front connected to the back such that the garment is wearable on an upper torso of an individual with a neck opening, a torso opening, and two arm openings; one or more backpack support straps, each backpack support strap having a first end and a second end, and each backpack support strap being integrally affixed to the front; a first connector end coupled to each first end of the backpack support straps, the first connector end being located between the neck opening and one of the two arm openings; and a second connector end coupled to each second end of the backpack support straps, the second connector end being located between the torso opening and one of the two arm openings, the first connector end and second connector end being placed so as to be accessible to connect to the backpack.
 2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the one or more backpack support straps is a single backpack support strap.
 3. The garment of claim 2, wherein the first end connector and the second end connector are located such that the backpack support strap extends across the front.
 4. The garment of claim 1, wherein the one or more backpack support straps is two backpack support straps.
 5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the first and second connector ends are attached to an outer surface of the back of the garment.
 6. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a backpack.
 7. The garment of claim 6, wherein the backpack is permanently fixed to the first and second connector ends.
 8. The garment of claim 6, wherein the first and second connector ends are selectively attachable to the backpack.
 9. The garment of claim 1, wherein each backpack support strap is integrally affixed to the inside surface of the front.
 10. The garment of claim 9, wherein the first and second connector ends penetrate the back.
 11. The garment of claim 10, further comprising flaps of fabric that can substantially cover each of the first and second connector ends and hide them from view when the first and second connector ends are not attached to the backpack.
 13. The garment of claim 11, wherein the flaps are configured as closable pockets.
 14. The garment of claim 1, wherein the front includes an outer layer and an inner layer, and wherein each backpack support strap is integrally affixed to the front between the outer layer and the inner layer.
 15. The garment of claim 14, further comprising flaps of fabric that can substantially cover each of the first and second connector ends and hide them from view when the first and second connector ends are not attached to the backpack.
 16. The garment of claim 15, wherein the flaps are configured as closable pockets.
 17. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is one of: a shirt; a sweater; a sweatshirt; a coat; and a jacket.
 18. The wearable apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a hood attached to the neck opening and suitable for wearing over the head of the user.
 19. The wearable apparatus of claim 1, wherein the backpack support strap is substantially hidden from view when the garment is viewed from the front. 